Envelop.



Patented May l4, l90l.

M. H. JONES.

ENVELOP.

(Application filed Mar. 29, 1901.)

(No Model.)

Int Norms PEIERS co. PHGYD-l nnou WASMINGTON, n, c.

NTTn STATES PATENT FFICE.

MAURICE H. JONES, OF SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA.

ENVELOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 674,007, dated May 14, 1901.

Application filed March 29, 1901. Serial No. 53,446. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MAURICE H. JONES, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha county, State of South Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelops; and my preferred manner of carrying out the invention is set forth in the following full, clear, and exact description, terminating with claims particularly specifying the novelty.

This invention relates to envelops, more especially of that type which are apparently sealed, but really not, whereby the contents may be examined by the postal authorities, and hence the envelop may be used for carrying third-class mail. Devices of this kind have hitherto been constructed in considerable numbers, and it is common to have the usual flap gummed and sealed as in an ordinary envelop, while one of the end port-ions constitutes the blind flap, which is the one that is really withdrawn by the postmaster for the purpose of inspecting the contents. These blind flaps are generally merely turned inward and their ends engaged beneath the other flaps at the back of the envelop, although in a few instance they have tongues either longitudinal or transverse-which engage slits for holding them in place. All of said constructions, however, possess the disadvantage that the blind fiap is easily displaced, especially when the contents of the envelop are heavy, as is usually the case with the circulars or printed matter sent under third-class postage. Moreover, this grade of matter is carelessly handled by the postal clerks and considerable strain is likely to ensue. My present invention contemplates the construction of an envelop of this character in such a way that the blind flap will have a lock for holding it in place, and the following specification describes the idea in its preferred form, as illustrated in the drawings, wherein- Figure I is a perspective view of this envelop in use, except that the gummed flap is not yet turned down and sealed. This view shows how the blind flap can be rolled outward between the moistened thumb and finger, so as to permit a peep at the contents. Fig. II is a view of the blank from which this envelop is made, the dots indicating the foldlines and the cross-hatching indicating the gum. Fig. III is a section on the line 8 3 of Fig. I, showing the envelop as stuffed rather full of mail-matter (indicated in dotted lines) for the purpose of better illustrating the operation of the look.

In the drawings, 1 is the rectangular body. From its top projects the main flap 2, which is gummed, as at 3. From its bottom projects the bottom flap 4, which is gum med, as at 5. From one end projects a long flap constituting the back 6, which when folded extends almost entirely across the envelop and is preferably cutout, as at 7, at its end. From the right end of the body projects a T-shapcd flap, herein called the locking-flap and having square notches 9 at its ends next to the body 1, and 10 designates ears integral with the body and really being that portion of the blank which is cut out from the notches 9 by the line 11 which forms them, this line preferably extending for a short distance into the body, as seen at 12. The whole is of paper or any other suitable material and is preferably formed by a single impulse of the die.

In forming the envelop the back 6 is folded inward on the dotted line 20. The lower flap 4 is then folded upward on the dotted line 21 and sealed to the back and to the lowermost ear 10. The locking-flap 8 is then turned inward on the dotted line 22, as is also the uppermost ear. The envelop is then loaded in the usual manner, and, finally, the gum 3 is moistened and the main flap 2 is turned down on the dotted line 23 and sealed to the back,

to the top of the lower flap 4, and across the uppermost ear 10. Care should be taken, however, that the parts are so cut and the gum so applied that the latter will strike all proper members, but not the lockingrfiap. By this means the latter is left entirely free and stands within the body of the envelop behind the contents In use when the postmaster desires to inspect the contents of this envelop he moistens his first finger and thumb and places them over the right end of the envelop here shown, the finger resting on the address-face and the thumb passing through the cut-out 7 and resting on the back of the locking-flap 8. Drawing the thumb upward over the finger the flap is then caused to roll along its folded line 22, as indicated at 222 in Fig. III, and

two little loops are formed at 122, through- .line 22, the extension-cuts 12 meanwhile permitting the rolling of the shank of the locking-flap. When the head 100 of the locking.- fiap brings up under these ears, it will be impossible for the flap to become disengaged without tearing off either the ears or the head of the flap. and hence the envelop is nearly as firmly closed as though it were sealed at this point. Again, if the circular or other matter within the envelop is of sufficient width to reach substantially from the line 21 to the line 23 it will rest against the folds of the ears 10 even though the envelop is handled roughly, and hence the contents will not have a tendency to throw out the lockingflap 8 at moments when it is not desired.

The addressee on receiving this envelop can open it in the usual manner or he can roll outward the locking-flap, as did the postmas ter, except that he continues rolling until he tears out the ears or destroys the head of the flap.

What I claim is- 1. An imitation sealed envelop whereof the blind flap is T-shaped, its shank being attached to theenvelop-body, and means within said body for permitting a limited movement terminating in a positive locking of the head of said flap as it moves outward from its extreme innermost position.

2. An imitation sealed envelop whereof the blind flap projects from one end of the body and the cuts forming the edges of the shank thereof are extended into said body for a purpose set forth, and means for permitting a limited movement of and then positively locking the free end of this flap while housed within the body.

3. An imitation sealed envelop wherein the blind flap is of T shape with its shank integral with one end of the body and the cuts forming the edges thereof extended into said body, and means within said body for positively engaging the head of said flap after it has been moved slightly outward from its extreme innermost position.

4:. An imitation sealed envelop whereof the blind flap has a rolling shank with a head at its outer end, and means for permitting a limited outward movement of this head andthen efiecting a positive lock thereof while yet housed within the body, the flap opposite said blind flap having a cut-out standing normally over said shank, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. An imitation sealed envelop whereof the blind flap has arolling shank with a T-shaped head at its outer end, the cuts forming the edges of this shank being extended longitudinally into the body, and means for permitting a limited outward movement of this head and then effecting a positive lock thereof while yet housed within the body, the flap opposite said blind flap having a cut-out standing normally over said shank, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. An imitation sealed envelop comprising the usual body with upper and lower flaps, a back flap folded over from one end of the body, a blind flap substantially T-shaped in form whose shank projects from the other end of the body, and two ears connected to the upper and lower flaps and permitting a limited longitudinal movement and then effecting a posi tive locking of the head of the blind flap when the latter stands within the envelop.

7. An imitation sealed envelop comprising the usual body with upper and lower gummed flaps, a back flap folded over from one end of the body, a blind flap substantially T-shaped in form whose shank projects from the other end of the body, and two ears integral with this end of the body, cutout from the notches under the head of the blind flap, turned inward and gummed to the upper and lower flaps, and permitting a limited longitudinal movement of the head of the blind flap when the latter stands within the envelop.

8. An imitation sealed envelop comprising the usual body with upper and lower gum med flaps, a long back flap folded over from one end of the body and having a cut-out at its free end, a blind flap substantially T-shaped in form whose shank projects from the other end of the body, and two ears integral with this end of the body and turned inward toward the free end of said long flap, the upper and lower flaps being gummed to the ears and the long flap and the head of the blind flap standing within the back and projecting transversely to a suficient degree to be caught by said ears as its shank is rolled outward.

9. An imitation sealed envelop comprising a body, upper and lower flaps, a long flap turned over from one edge of the body, and gum connecting the various flaps on the back and connecting the back with the front at the upper and lower ends of the edge remaining; combined with a blind flap substantially T- shaped in form with its shank integral with said remaining edge, the cuts forming the edges of this shank being continued into the body to permit a slight rolling of said shank, and the head of this flap being of substantially the same transverse length as that of the body, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my signature this 26th day of March, A. D. 1901.

MAURICE H. JONES.

Witnesses:

J. H. VooRHEEs, BELLE R. GREGORY. 

